Pro football stars in the making… Panoba looks at some of the best ways to get into the world of pro football. A second to none football academy app, premier UK boarding school football academies, an elite UK state boarding school football academy and the top football summer camps.
Ok, you’re playing for your school and local club, or, it’s as simple as you’re consistently performing well on the pitch. What’s next? Just know, it’s a demanding and highly competitive world out there. As it says on the PFSA (Professional Football Scouts Association) website: “To become a professional footballer, you need to live and breathe the game. The journey won’t be all smooth sailing, but your passion will help you to power through the negative and challenging moments.”
However, if you have that level of discipline and self-belief, click through the Contents below to find options that will get you off to the best start.
CONTENTS
1. Get into pro football with a Football Academy
Football Academy Apps are a fantastic tool for aspiring footballers like yourself. Build your confidence and see instant improvements through on-demand access, personalised plans and structured workouts.
– Train Effective Football App
Ages: 13 – 17 (all ages welcome however)
Level: All abilities
Gender: Girls & boys
Budget: Low to medium (for subscription)
Location: Online (also in-person – see more details later on)
Whatever your next move, WHEREVER you are, “The App That Turns You Into A Pro-Level Soccer Player,” Train Effective, will help you train, progress and provide a clear, career plan. With a virtual academy and in-person camps (see the Train Effective Summer Camp section at the end) around the world including in London, Miami and Los Angeles. They’ve literally trained thousands of athletes, many of which have gone to play in top academies, colleges and professionally worldwide.
Whatever your level, the app provides comprehensive programs and a personal success plan. There’s the ultimate in skill-building with 150+ exercises, expert-led coaching sessions, tactical analysis videos along with the opportunity to develop a tailored plan with your mentors in the Virtual Academy.
They offer a 2-tier pricing plan, Pro and Academy. “Pro” is the lower cost of the two, taking your development to the next level; providing access to a Training Planner, drills and exercises, Premier League Analysts and the Rio Ferdinand Mentality Training. “Academy,” you’ll benefit from having 1-1 mentorship with a personal mentor coach, personalised training plans, Iive and recorded masterclasses and Career Action Planning – on top of everything that’s included in Pro.
Train Effective sum it up best. “Join a professional soccer academy from anywhere, no matter your skills. See instant improvements with access to the highest quality of coaching and a community to support and motivate you.”
Sign up to the Train Effective app
Or WhatsApp us on +44 7956 963022 for more details first.
2. Fast track into pro football via UK Boarding School Football Academies
If you want to keep up your academic studies alongside top-level football, then football academies and specialised pathways at UK boarding schools are the answer.
UK Boarding Schools have partnered with premier football clubs with top-of-the-league football coaches for 20 years and offer an AMAZING selection of opportunities, you’ll find it hard to choose from. The biggest takeaway here is that UK Boarding Schools offer pupils the opportunity to excel both academically and athletically, whilst fulfilling their football ambitions. Sports science, business management, journalism, finance and accounting are all subjects that are in demand in the pro football industry.
Panoba can help match you with the best football academy or specialism held at UK Boarding Schools for both your football prowess and academic strengths. Below are just some we’ve picked out – there are many more! Check out our summer programmes booking enquiry page if you’d like more guidance.
– Culford School Football Academy
Ages: 13 – 18
Level: All abilities
Gender: Girls & boys
Budget: High
Location: Bury Saint Edmunds
Combine one very ambitious boarding school, Culford School, with premier league football club Tottenham Hotspur (commonly known as Spurs) and you get The Culford School Football Academy. Culford School is well-known for its exceptional sports programmes and Tottenham Hotspur as one of England’s most successful football clubs.
As it says on Culford’s website “Universities and employers are increasingly seeking applicants who can match exceptional academic results with confidence, motivation and a desire to be their best, and this is exactly what a Culford School education provides in the form of a co-educational football programme and a market leading sports science programme.
Their co-educational football programme enables pupils of all abilities access outstanding coaching, support and guidance from a fully qualified team of professionals. All players work towards an individual development plan specifically designed by the Head of Football. This bespoke approach paves the way to opportunities in the semi-professional/professional game and coveted scholarships at top universities across the USA.
The programme cultivates a high-performance environment to unlocks pupils full potential, whilst accelerating both talent and athletic development.
Key features of the academy include coaching excellence from Culford and Tottenham Hotspur staff, Individual technical coaching, customised strength and conditioning, competitive matches for Culford School, pathways to local club and professional academies and individual mentoring and performance reviews from the Head of Football. All in the top-tier facilities that Culford provides.
To find out more WhatsApp us on +44 7956 963022 or for more details, check out our summer programmes booking enquiry page
– Josh McEachran Football Academy in partnership with Wychwood School
Ages: 16 – 19
Level: Advanced
Gender: Girls & boys
Budget: High
Location: Oxford
The Josh McEachran Football Academy, in partnership with Wychwood School in focuses on total player development, both boys and girls: technical, tactical, physical, and mental. Wychwood is a smaller school where the focus is on enjoying learning, risk taking and self-discovery – and on becoming a decent human being. Josh McEachran is an English professional footballer, currently a midfielder for Bristol Rovers.
Your education will go hand in hand with elite football training at this academy. You can gain top qualifications in sport with either a) BTEC Level 3 Sport Programme (equivalent to 3 A-Levels) designed to prepare you for a future in sport, coaching, or further education, or, b) the Higher Education Programme offering advanced qualifications, expert coaching, and real-world experience for those serious about careers in sport, fitness, or coaching.
You’ll compete in high-level matches across the UK, giving you the exposure, confidence, and game-time experience. As it says on the Josh McEachran Football Academy website “These showcase fixtures are your chance to catch the eye of scouts and coaches and make your mark.”
Other key features are UEFA-licensed coaches delivering professional-level training with high-intensity sessions five days a week, training incorporates modern sport science to optimize player performance and recovery – and the academy provides career guidance and progression planning to support students’ futures, whether in football or other fields.
To find out more WhatsApp us on +44 7956 963022 or for more details, check out our summer programmes booking enquiry page
– FC Kingsley Football Academy
Ages: 7 – 18
Level: For talented players
Gender: Girls & Boys
Budget: High
Location: Devon
Kingsley School, in partnership with The Ferdinand Collective, has launched The FC Kingsley Football Academy this year. Kingsley School Devon is known for its emphasis on mental health and wellbeing, specialist sports and outdoor education, and being near the UK’s only World Surf Reserve. The Ferdinand Collective is more than just football. Founded by Julian Ferndiand and his sons, Anton and Rio Ferdinand and hailed as a national movement shaped by the belief that football can transform lives, build character and create belonging.
Players chosen for the squad can expect up to 14 hours per week of bespoke football training in their timetable. The remainder of their time, students study the academic options available; either 3 A-level subjects from Kingsley’s full sixth-form curriculum or the CTEC Sports Science (OCR Sport & Physical Activity Extended Diploma – equivalent to 3 A-Levels)
Key features include up to 14 hours per week of bespoke football training incorporated into their timetable, the very highest quality coaching and development programmes, play against the best teams in the country and have access to a number of player development pathways and opportunities with a range of professional football clubs at home and abroad. And all of the Kingsley Devon Prep School and Senior School teams have the opportunity to play at the highest level and ultimately compete for a place in the elite 1st XI squad. The 1st XI squad play weekly games in the South West Colleges Football League.
To find out more WhatsApp us on +44 7956 963022 or for more details, check out our summer programmes booking enquiry page
– Wells Cathedral School Football Specialism in association with Chelsea FC
Ages: 11 – 18
Level: Advanced
Gender: Girls & Boys
Budget: High
Location: Somerset
Wells Cathedral School is launching its new football specialism in partnership with Chelsea FC in September 2026 for talented players. Wells Cathedral School is one of the oldest schools in the world offers specialist programs in areas like music, maths and football. Chelsea FC is known for its recent dominance in English and European football, having won multiple Premier League and Champions League titles.
Wells combines top-level football coaching with first-class academics as well as a broader holistic education, so pupils on the Football Specialism programme will continue to study towards their GCSEs or A levels.
Key features include 9 weekly coaching sessions from Chelsea FC UEFA-qualified coaches, a permanent Head of Football from Chelsea FC based at the school, a comprehensive focus on player development, performance conditioning, and long-term athletic care, training sessions and visits to Chelsea FC training ground in Cobham, the opportunity to play at Kingsmeadow Stadium and to visit Stamford Bridge – and access to career pathways in football.
To find out more WhatsApp us on +44 7956 963022 or for more details, check out our summer programmes booking enquiry page
3. Could UK State Boarding School Football Academies provide a way into pro football?
The answer is yes! Let us tell you about UK state boarding schools as they provide lower cost alternative. They are, in comparison to UK private boarding schools, a relatively recent development – and therefore there are far fewer of them. They receive UK state funding for the education they offer but still charge fees for boarding, therefore being in a position to offer better value in terms of affordability. However, they also provide a comprehensive education on a par with private schools in terms of quality. And, we happen to know of a state boarding school that also runs a top football academy alongside teaching the International Baccalaureate.
– Dallam & GT7 Football Academy
Ages: 11 – 18
Level: Development to Elite
Gender: Girls & boys
Budget: Medium
Location: Cumbria
State boarding school, Dallam Boarding School, and GT7 Football Academy launched a new pathway for aspiring local footballers in 2024. Dallam School is a leading UK state boarding school that excels in sports, swimming, outdoor challenge and adventure, and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. The sixth form is a long-established specialist language college.
Dallam Boarding School Football Academy offers an exceptional 39-week programme designed to develop both elite and aspiring footballers. Whether your goal is to play professionally or pursue a career in sports media, coaching, physiotherapy, or refereeing, the Academy provides enrichment far beyond the game itself.
The programme carefully balances students academic studies and their sporting ambitions. Students benefit from being coached by UEFA-qualified coaches on and off the pitch, access to high-quality facilities, and opportunities to participate in competitive matches. The school offers options to study GCSE, Applied Diplomas, BTEC and A levels.
Key features include individual player development focused on positional skills and team play, fitness sessions and classroom theory sessions, competitive fixtures in a variety of formats (including the exciting new 3-on-3 games), opportunities to compete with local teams, a supportive community where players build lifelong friendships and that it’s led by UEFA-qualified coaches.
To find out more WhatsApp us on +44 7956 963022 or for more details, check out our summer programmes booking enquiry page
4. Football Summer Camps provide a taste of pro football world
If you want just a flavour of what it’s like to be trained by the pros rather than committing longer term then we HIGHLY recommend a football summer camp next summer.
– Train Effective Summer Football Camp
Imagine heading to Miami, London or Los Angeles and mixing with like-minded players from all around the world! These are the camp locations on offer by the same pros who serve up the Train Effective app (see the Train Effective Football Academy App detail at the beginning).
Their camps provide players of all abilities with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The package on offer includes high intensity training sessions that provide a structured and intense schedule as in a professional club or academy, 1-on-1 feedback sessions with experts, masterclass sessions working on developing a competitive mindset and attitude and understanding of what it takes to play football at the highest level. And, the opportunity to showcase your skills in front of Premier League scouts and coaches who have connections to professional clubs all over Europe. You might also chance to gain a recommendation from them…
– UK boarding schools Summer Football Camps
There are also many incredible football camps at several top UK boarding schools, run by professional coaches for boys and girls, ages 7 – 18. Levels include beginners, intermediate, advanced and pro. In addition to premiere football training, in some of the camps, students can take part in bespoke English programmes. There are also amazing evening activities and excursions.
Just look at the line up on offer…
You could follow in the footsteps of Messi, Mbappe, Neymar, Ronaldinho, and David Beckham with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play for Paris Saint-Germain Academy UK Academy, ‘play the Arsenal way’ at the Arsenal Football Development Camp UK, join other intermediate, advanced or professional players at LaLiga Football Camps UK, aspire to be a footballer of the future at the Tottenham Hotspur’s Camp or sign up to Inter Milan Academy’s coaching curriculum – a direct extension of Italian professional football club Inter Milan’s Youth Sector.
Between them the summer camps offer:
- Football skills in a fun and relaxed environment with fully qualified academy coaches, and training created for some of the best players in the world.
- Receive top training from FA & UEFA-Qualified coaches.
- Sports psychology; match preparation and tactics; rest and recovery; and training programmes.
- Individual player development and team player development as well as technical training, workshops, masterclasses, video analysis, tutorials, and smaller and larger-sided games.
- Theoretical and practical skills to enable each student to learn in an effective and rational way.
Note that Inter Milan Academy is for boys only.
You can check out more details and/or book a place via our summer programmes booking enquiry page or WhatsApp us on +44 7956 963022.
5. Conclusion
So, is it time to level up? Panoba are on hand to help you plan your pro football career in the beautiful game.
You can find out about further football academies offered by UK boarding schools in a football academy blog post we wrote in 2022 .
6. References
https://www.traineffective.com
https://www.northdevongazette.co.uk/news/sport/1804099/kingsley-school-and-the-ferdinand-collective.html
https://www.culford.co.uk/culford-sport/football
https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/the-club/football-development/partners/culford-school/
https://chelsea.wells.cathedral.school/
https://thepfsa.co.uk/how-to-become-a-professional-footballer/
https://www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk/uk-schools/search
https://www.dallamschool.co.uk/boarding/football-academy/
